Master's Programme in Development Geography

Start-up Date

August

The Degree

The master's programme leads to the degree Master of Philosophy in Development Geography. It is a two year programme (120 ECTS credits).

Objectives / Contents

The aim of the programme is to provide the candidates with theoretical and methodological skills enabling them to qualify for a Master's Degree. The topics are related to issues of relevance for the study of livelihoods and environmental problems in mountain areas and other marginal areas of the Third World. The courses aim at introducing the candidates to contemporary scientific discourses on human-nature relations, and provide them with analytical skills and critical thinking. The thesis is normally based on field collection of data in the country of origin, carried out between the first and second year of study.

Programme profile

The topics are related to issues of relevance for the study of livelihood and environmental problems in mountain areas and other marginal areas of the Third World.

Programme structure

The programme covers two academic years (four semesters), and starts in the autumn. In the first semester, you are required to complete a writing workshop and a project proposal. In addition you complete a course which consists of lectures in theory of science and a research design for geographers, and finally, the subject Ecology, People and Institutions in Development. In the second semester you will complete the courses Methods in Social Sciences, Term paper and Myths and Narratives in Development and Environment. In the third and fourth semester you concentrate on the practical/theoretical master's thesis in geography.

Method

The methods to be applied will depend on the topic you choose, and will often imply combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods. The programme includes a course in methods in social science. Students, who have taken part in the programme as distance learning students, may choose other methodological courses as electives.

Start-up Date

August

Admission requirements

The programme is primarily aimed at candidates exchanged via collaborative programmes between University of Bergen and the following partners: Tribhuvan University, Nepal, Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Peru, University of Ghana, Ghana, and Yunnan University, Kina.

The students must hold a 4 year bachelor degree with major in geography or a master degree in geography.

The program is open for other applicants who have a bachelor´s degree with a minimum of 90 ects in geography.

Who may apply

The programme is primarily aimed at candidates exchanged via collaborative programmes between University of Bergen and the following partners:

• Tribhuvan University, Nepal,
• Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Peru,
• University of Ghana, Ghana,
• Kumaon University, India,
• Makerere University, Uganda, and
• Yunnan University, Kina.

Study Period Abroad

The field work is normally conducted in South.

More information

About admission: http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master

studieveileder@geografi.uib.no / + 47 55 58 30 73

The Degree

The master's programme leads to the degree Master of Philosophy in Resources and Human Adaptations. It is a two year programme (120 ECTS credits).

Credits

120 ects

Language of Instruction

All courses are taught in English.

Start-up Date

August

Objectives / Contents

The aim of the programme is to provide the candidates with theoretical and methodological skills enabling them to qualify for a Master's Degree. The topics are related to issues of relevance for the study of livelihoods and environmental problems in mountain areas and other marginal areas of the Third World. The courses aim at introducing the candidates to contemporary scientific discourses on human-nature relations, and provide them with analytical skills and critical thinking. The thesis is normally based on field collection of data in the country of origin, carried out between the first and second year of study.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the Master study in Development Geography the candidate should have a total learning outcome as outlined in knowledge, intellectual and practical skills and transferrable skills:

Knowledge

• Analyse and present advanced knowledge in geographical research in Development Geography in relation to themes such as development and migration, human ecology, political ecology, environmental discourses and institutions in developing countries
• Analyse geographical issues on the basis of history of geographical thought and theory of science
• Apply contemporary theories, methods and interpretations in development geography, and work independently and in teams with practical and theoretical problem solving

Intellectual and Practical Skills

• Establish and develop professional relationships with relevant actors in society.
• Choose and delimit a researchable theme for a Master´s thesis and develop a research problem which can be carried out within the time limits and resources available for the study.
• Select and evaluate relevant methods for collection of empirical data, and give an epistemological account of the methodological choices.
• Delimit, plan and carry out collection of empirical data through various forms of field work.

• Search systematically in libraries, scientific and other data bases and interpret and evaluate data and literature critically.
• Discuss and analyse different sources of information critically, analyse empirical data and present geographical arguments and analyses.
• Write a research report within given time and resource limits, apply geographical terminology and good academic writing, with exact, updated and systematic use of references, with due credit to secondary sources.

Transferrable Skills

• The ability to carry out field work and treat data in accordance with good ethical norms and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) practice.
• The ability to disseminate research results as publications, articles in media and oral presentations.
• The ability to present research findings as academic writing, in public media and in oral form

Admission Requirements

The programme is primarily aimed at candidates exchanged via collaborative programmes between University of Bergen and the following partners: Tribhuvan University, Nepal, Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Peru, University of Ghana, Ghana, and Yunnan University, Kina.

The students must hold a 4 year bachelor degree with major in geography or a master degree in geography.

The program is open for other applicants who have a bachelor´s degree with a minimum of 90 ects in geography.

Master thesis credits

The thesis is normally based on field collection of data in the country of origin, carried out between the first and second year of study. The master's thesis itself, and course options, will be adapted to the individual academic backgrounds and interests of the students. For the sake of the flexibility, the students may choose to split the second and the third semester between thesis work and courses in order to attend elective courses only available in autumn semester and vice versa.

Sequential Requirements - courses

The programme consists of the following courses. All courses are compulsory and must be taken in the order listed.

Autumn 1st semester;

• GEO308: Theory of science and research design for geographers, 10 credits
• GEO310: Writing workshop and draft project proposal, 10 credits
• GEO338: Theories about development and migration,10 credits or GEO326: Geographical perspctives on food, 10 credits

Spring 2nd semester;

• GEO306: Methods in social science, 10 credits
• GEO309: Term paper, 10 credits
• GEO337: Myths, narratives and institutions: Critical perspectives on environment and development. 10 credits

Summer

• Fieldwork

3rd and 4th semester;

• GEO350: Master's Thesis in Geography, 60 credits

The courses (60 credits) must be completed before the thesis can be submitted. The students must also accomplish and pass 3 milestones before submitting the master thesis.

• 1. Milestone (1. autumn): GEO310 - Project presentation for the supervisor and an opponent. Fellow students, PhDs and academic stab can also be present. Takes place the 2nd week of December.
• 2. Milestone (1. spring): GEO309 - a draft of the term paper shall be presented and discussed in a research group. Takes place 3 weeks before submitting deadline May 15th
• 3. Milestone (2. autumn): After fieldwork. The student shall produce a short report of data, main findings and methodology. Presentation and discussion in a research group. Takes place last week in September.

Study Period Abroad

The field work is normally conducted in South.

Teaching methods

The teaching consists mainly of lectures and seminars with assignments.

Assessment methods

Department of Geography uses a variety of assessments.

• Written exam
• Oral exam
• Take home exam, often in combination with oral exam
• Portfolio

Grading scale

At the University of Bergen the student's academic performance is assessed both through final examinations as well as various term assignments.

The grading system has either

1. a descending scale from A to E for passes and F for fail, or
2. pass/fail

Grading A-F is most commonly used.

Further studies

A master's degree in Resources and Human Adaptations qualifies for studies at a PhD level.

Contact information

Department of Geography

Studieveileder@geog.uib.no